The National Co-operator and Farm Journal (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 27, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 10, 1907 Page: 1 of 8
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Southern
Mercury
United With
National
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Co-Operator
Farm
Journal
Volume 28.
DALLAS, TEXAS, WEDNESDAY APRIL 10, 1907.
Number 27
TOPEKA
KAST
Farmers
Union
Password
United With
The
National
Co-Operator
and
Farm
Journal
Executive Committee's Address
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Dallas, Tex., April 2, 1907.
To The Farmers' Union of Texas:
We, your State Executive Commit-
tee at our second quarterly meeting
find the following to be conditions in
the Union.
We find upon examination of the
books, that everything is in first-class
condition. The Union is on a safe
financial baste, and the administration
is being economically conducted. We
also find that there is an era of good
feeling just now upon us. The poten-
tial energy of our people is just be-
ginning to be made manifest. The
Union's plan of business and co-oper-
ation is being endorsed by our people,
as well as by all other classes of men.
The condition of our Union makes
It an opportune time, for us to call
your attention to a few questions
which we believe demands the atten-
tion of our organization. We have one
of the most grasping and persistent
trusts In Texas that Is in existence
today, viz: the cotton seed oil trust.
It is needless for us to go into an
argument in reference to the workings
eff this trust. You have all felt Its
Influence if you have bad any dealings
wit& the mills. You have seen oil
double in price and meal and cake
advance from five to six dollars per
ton, and the price of seed remain the
same and uniform the State over. You
have observed their attempts to se-
cretly give rebates to the ginners in
order to avoid their trust obligations.
You have felt the effect of their
weights and are aware of the fact that
they have on foot, and are rapidly ex-
ecuting a scheme to buy up and con-
trol the gins of the State in order to
more firmly strengthen their monopo-
ly.
We should use every honorable
means in a business way to crush this
trust and force -the oil mills to pay
the farmers what their seed is worth.
There are many ways to secure a
better price for our cottonseed. They
have good food value .they make a
splendid fertilizer. They take up but
little room and can easily be housed
and kept off the market, and as a last
resort we advise construction of mills
by our own people.
We have in this country and have
had for years a form of gambling
known as dealing in futures in vari-
ous kinds of farm products. Every
farmer has felt the damaging effects
financially of these large gambling
houses and have observed the moral
wreck and ruin that has followed in
their wake. The crop that stands at
the basis of our wealth, the crop upon
which this country has natural monop-
oly should not be thrown upon the
good graces of a few hundred men
who flock upon the floor of the ex-
changes. These men toil not, neither
do they spin. They represent neither
field nor factory, yet when agricultural
products, on account of general pros-
perity and the efforts of the raisers,
go up in value, they step in and claim
the credit for it regardless of which
side tbey were on an4 claim we should
thank them because we are able to
pay our year's obligations with the
products of our year's toil. But if by
manipulation and heavy future selling
the prices go down, they claim we
have made too much, and must suffer
the consequences because we should
have used more business discretion.
In those periods of depression, they
are usually on the short side of the
market and therefore do all they can
to create a panic and cause the farm-
ers to sell. This future gambling
Should be stopped in all its forms, and
we suggest that the Union use its
best efforts to get the*State Legisla-
ture and the Federal Congress to make
all such species of gambling a misde-
meanor, punishable by imprisonment
in the penitentiary.
The cotton market will always be
a problem for us to consider from
year to year. The Union Warehouse
plan is receiving universal endorse-
ment. It has been endorsed by the
census department at Washington and
by the agricultural department at Aus-
tin. This plan is so well understood
now by the Union we will not here dis-
cuss it. Hut we will say that with our
warehouses all over the South where
our cotton can be concentrated, pro-
tected and financed at a minimum cost
and with the elimination of futures
gamblers, cotton can be priced accord-
ing to the economical and legitimate
law of supply and demand, and that
must mean prosperity to growers of
this commodity. When this is done,
the factory will come to the field, be-
cause the field cannot go to the fac-
tory. With the elimination of all
chance games in cotton, there will be
no necessity for the factory to stand
at a distance.
The question of finding additional
uses for low grade cotton and the con-
struction of factories for manufactur-
ing the same is worthy of our atten-
tion.
The success of our Union depends
upon an intelligent policy of work.
Diversification is one of our declara-
tions of purposes, and we should not
forget the fact that a single crop sys-
* tem Is hazardous.
There is no necessity for the farm-
ers to spend their energies raising
one single crop which is likely to
cause a fight with the commercial in-
terests. All things necessary and use-
ful for man or beast should be raised,
in an abundance, and should be raised
in preference to any commercial com-
modity. The farmers should first
think of self and home. Besides it is
a well known fact that when the pro-
duction of a commercial commodity
and especially cotton is decreased, the
price is always Increased, so when the
cost of production and handling is con-
sidered, there is more net profit in a
small than in a large crop. We there-
fore urge our people not to plant a
large cotton acreage in the face of
this large crop. The land that was in
wheat which was destroyed by Insects
should not be put to cotton if If can
possibly be avoided. There are many
kinds of farm crops that this land can
be planted to, with perhaps less haz-
ards than cotton. We well know that
cotton is an enemy to education. This
lack of education on account of cotton
raising is a very grave question and
we ask you to give it earnest thought.
In connection with the warehouses
we should have schools where the
farmers can learn the economies of
marketing which will include practical
warehouse work, uniform receipts, uni-
form grading, and uniform baling of
cotton, together with commercial law
relative to such work. The problems
mentioned above if systematically car-
ried out (and nothing can be effect-
ively done without system) there is no
doubt of ultimate success. The ac-
complishing of any one of these sub-
jects will be worth striving for for
a period of years, yet they can all be
accomplished by the co-operation or
our people as surely as the sun shines.
The splendid success of our Union
for the past season will doubtless
cause our enemies to redouble their
euergies for our destruction. In mat-
ters commercial and legislative the
special classes have been able to ap-
preciate our growing power as an or-
ganisation and we may rest, assured
that every inch of the ground will be
disputed. We muRt remember also,
that all attempts at our ruin will be
done not a* open enemies, but m
UNfOti COTTON WAREHOUSE
WITH T//£ X x ,
BACK oFUi Ft
YiB CAN
rim A success
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MOT
EQUITY,
JUSTICE
AND THC
COL DEN
RULE
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OUR platform* I
friends who arc seemingly anxious to
further our interests. They will at-
tempt to lead us into plunging enter-
prises, or raise suspicion against our
leaders or create discord among our
people to obstruct our progress and de-
stroy us from within, which Is the
only possible way to accomplish our
destruction. Our rule should be to
never allow any out-sidors to become
affiliated with our business affairs, and
brand all who attempt to settle differ-
ences outside an open anri public ene-
my to our cause. We urge all loyal
Union men to assist us and all the
officers, with your counsel, and by pay-
ing your quarterly dues so w ? can con-
tinue to move along with the work
which has been so successfully car-
ried on, up to the present tirnf.
When we think of our humble be-
ginning as a Union, facing the predic-
tions of sages that it was time lost
and that we would soon meet a disas-
trous end, facing the jeers and hisses
of many of our own class, and the
cynical smiles of these of other inter-
ests and then contrast our condition
today with our condition then, It is
a gratification beyond our power to
express. Then, the Southern farmers
were an unorganized mass of people
who were considered by the world to
have but few rights and who did not
exercise those they did have.
Then we were considered tillers of
the soil, not because It was an honor-
able and profitable occupation, where
there was need of brain as well as
brawn, but rather because it was u
place for the exercise of brawn only,
and that a majority of the people were
there, not for a competence, but be-
cause it was the only available means
for an existence.
Now, the farmers are considered as
students, their occupation is consider-
ed a profession where there can be a
full exercise of the moral, mental and
physical powers where there Is ail
opportunity to educate their children
and to lay up a little Inheritance for
those who succeed them. Today our
organization contains a large per cent
of the bone and sinew of the land, hav-
ing spread to about half of the slates
In the Union, and if we will remain
true.to our original purpose, that of
fraternal business organization, hav-
ing for its purposes the emancipation
of the farming classes, If we continue
to look for the general good and not
merely Individual profit, we will con-
tinue to grow and do good, but If wo
lose sight of our Ideal and associate
with selfish feelings, and personal
greed, discord will enter our ranks and
mny at last wreck and ruin the struc-
ture we have built and blight many a
fair prospect just in the future; but
its foundation will stand because the
foundation Is justice, equity and the
Golden Rule.
F. W. DAVIS, Chairman,
J. II. LUCE, Secretary,
PBTBR RADFORD,
W. T. LOUDERMILK,
J. E. BOND,
Executive Committee Farmers' State
Union of Texas.
If some farmers are willing to let
the organized speculators and gam-
blers price their crops, why not go
t lie whole hog and let them price
your horses, mules and cows? You
should either play the man, or lie
down like a shivering slave on every
proposition of economic rights.
President Caivins Speaks
San Augelo Times:
President E. A. Calvin of tho Fann-
ers' Union of Texas, spoke at tho court
house hero to a good audience, lie
said in substance:
The relation between tho supply of
and tho demand for cotton will gov-
ern prices In the absence of Interven-
ing forces, but the lntluence of specu-
lation Is so drastic thai every day tho
prices lluetuate, ofton-tlines widely,
when there Is absolutely no actual
change In economic factors that ought
to govern prices.
When, therefore, a year's supply of
cotton Is thrown upon tho market
within three or four months, naturally
the price levels are below normal, af-
fording the speculative Interests lo
Intrude like a lot of wolves, and take
advantage of the lack of organization
of the farmers and consequent Inabil-
ity of the producers to Influence tho
marketing of the crop.
What tho Southland needs, there-
fore, is the co-operation of the busi-
ness Interests, the bankers and the
"man with tho hoe," to properly
market tho chief stuple of Dixie.
The South Is steadily divorcing It-
self from the power of Wall street,
and the howl being raised by tho
speculators and the rings Is the result
of the realization that their control
la being swept away day by day. All
that Is necessary to prevent the specu-
lative Interests from taking from tho
Southern farmers a goodly proportion
of their wealth is the organization and
a proper marketing of the crop.
Hy building warehouses and stor-
ing all emergency cotton; by enabling
the organized body of tho producers
of the staple to lake off the market,
sav, one million bales of cotton, reas-
onable prices can at all times be ob-
tained.
Hy holding the chief staple of the
South until the consumers and their
representatives are willing to pay
eleven cents; by paying more atten-
tion to marketing and a little less
to cotton raising; by following the
same policy as is now being estab-
lished in the great grain belt of the
Northwest; the cotton raisers may
never have cause lo fear low prices.
Mr, Calvin compared the marketing
of cotton in tho South with that of
grain In the Northwest. Statistics
show, he said, that on March 1. 1907,
2S.I per cent of the grain of the North-
west was in the hands of the growers,
while at the corresponding time hardly
111 per cent of the cotton crop of the
season was in tin- hands of tin- cotton
producers, notwithstanding the fact
that grain threshing time preceded tho
cot ton-glnnlng season.
Then the speaker referred to the
laboring of the mother and the young-
er children In the cotton fields, du<
to tho lack of organization and the oh
talning of fair prices for cotton, and
the absence of any such condition iu
the harvest fields of the North and
Northwest.
Tho Southland produces all the ne-
cessities and luxurlt'M of life, and
by not properly marketing the har-
vest of products, does not enjoy the
actual earnings of her people, due di-
rectly to the lack of organization
among tho producers of the great
while-top staple of the world.
Naturally endowed with resources to
produce a staple for which there will
be a good demand until the end of
time, tho South ought to enjoy the
greatest prosperity of all, and will,
wltli the proper organization among
the business interests and the market
lug of cotton.
WORDS OF GOOD CHEER.
the same paper and it. should be the
National Co-Operator, which, no doubt,
now is the greatest weekly publico-
11 on In Texas and Its usefulness has
only just begun. Only two years old.
What a mighty young giant! Frater-
nally, L. li. RHODES.
WHOLESOME TALK.
Dear Co-Operator: We are doing
fairly well here In Lee County, Texas,
for the cause of Unionism. One trou-
ble is that we do not all practice
fully what we preach. Now we havd
sent off after corn and I noticed many
wagons In town the other day after
corn. I believe we ought to raise our
corn; in fact, raise everything for
our living and for the living of our
live stock at home. Too many of our
people find fault with our officers,
from National down. This Is wrong.
These gentlemen are working their
best for us and we ought to stick to
them. We must submit to the major-
ity and quit grumbling if we want lo
win our cause. J. J. I1ROWN.
Lexington, Tex.
SEEKS
INFORMA-
A True Friend Congratulates and En-
courages Co-Operator In Its
Great Mission.
Grand Saline, Tex., April K, 1907.
Dear Bro. Pyle: I am certainly
gratified to know that we are to have
one great National paper. I have
watched your good work so long that , _
I am never surprised at any good Dear Co-Operator: I am glad to
thing you do. I am sure we are no.v note that Co-Operator and the Mer-
to have entire harmony. It is much enry Password have become one pa-
per. The merging of the two Is in
accordance with the teachings of our
WAREHOUSE
TION.
tlic ln'st tho way it is and I am pleased
that Comrade Park so decided, lie
has done a great work for tho Indus- Order, that there Is strength in unity.
trial development of our beloved coun-
try, and has always been true and
One great paper is better than twe
papers, for by the union of the two
work lo younger hands, and lie has
chosen wisely.
Well do I remember when you. a
struggling youth, took charge of the
A telephone menage from Presi-
dent K. A. Calvin from Scurry
County, last Saturday, si iffes that
one of the largest County I niona
ever held in Scurry County was in
session at Snvder. and all in line for
the F. K. &'C. (J. of A. There is
greater activity in the went of lute
than ever before.
stood like a stone wall, for what lie tie- one will be enabled to become a
thought lo bo right.. Hut tho time belter and more useful paper than
was here when he should entrust I lie either of the two could become and
besides there Is the unity of teaching,
the entire absence of conflict of ideat
for the accomplishment of an end.
We are figuring on erecting one oi
Mincola Courier, a Farm' rs' Alliance more warehouses here in Ouachita
paper. It. was my pleasure to help County, Arkansas, to be ready for
you some In those dark duys of finan- the coming crop. We presume the
clal disaster, and I have always been way to do It is for every Union man
proud of what I did for you. You not who will to take one or more shares
only fulfilled all your financial obli- of stock, limiting the number of
gallons, but you have many times re- shares any man can take so that all
paid me by the manly work you havo of us may have some stock, and Iim-
done for our class, tho producers, It lug the voles In business matters
every day since you took charge of the to one vote for each shareholder, and
Alliance paper many years ago. Op- not one vote for each share held, so
position fled before you then, as It that every stockholder will have ai
does now, and will continue to do. equal voice and thus preventing a few
You have done some wonderful men controlling the whole thing. We
things. I am always wondering what would be glad if the management ol
you will do next, but am never sur- some warehouse that, has proven suo
prised when you do It. ceasful—and from what I have leara-
The two papers in one now will do ed they are all successful—would
much moro good than they could have write us their plan of operations froa
done singly. This is a day of com- beginning to ending.
binatlons. We must combine to cut Our County Union will meet April
off waste. The members of this great 19 at Elliott. J. P. BEARDON.
industrial organization should ail read Barham, Ark.
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Pyle, O.P. The National Co-operator and Farm Journal (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 27, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 10, 1907, newspaper, April 10, 1907; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186285/m1/1/?rotate=270: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .